by Mike Shelton
“Well, I’m hungry.”
“Me too!”
Cole devoured his chicken in a few bites. And soon they began walking quicker, their strength returning as the castle loomed closer in front of them.
Right before reaching the gates, Cole turned to Shaeleen. “So, do you know what I can do?”
Shaeleen shook her head. She’d read little about a guardian’s power in the journal. But a TruthSeer always had a wizard guardian.
“I’m not sure, Cole. I barely understand my powers. I guess we’ll learn together.”
“Hmmm.” Cole appeared deep in thought. “There is something in my mind that is connected to you now. I’m not sure I welcome having you in my head.”
“That could be helpful if Lady Judith tries anything again,” Shaeleen said.
Cole only grunted.
Shaeleen glanced up at the castle in front of them. The stone walls were ancient, dating back to before the founding of Wayland—before the first TruthSeer or the gemstones. The castle had stood as a beacon of strength for so long out on the peninsula that many people could hardly remember its beginnings. Even the histories about the first people coming to the island were vague about the timing, though it was generally accepted that they had arrived as refugees from a land far to the east, across the sea.
Cole informed the guard who they were, and then they were escorted inside immediately.
As soon as they stepped into the castle, Prince Basil came running up to them. He looked from Shaeleen to Cole, and, seeing Cole’s eyes, the prince’s own widened in surprise. “I see we have more to talk about. I was worried when my carriage didn’t pick you up. I have men out searching for you.”
Shaeleen looked at Cole as the prince escorted them to the same room they had met in the previous day. Her brother’s eyes had begun to revert back to their normal light blue—a color that was still rare in Galena—but they still held a distinct opaque quality to them.
The prince had a servant bring in drinks and a tray of meat and cheese. Then the prince invited Shaeleen and Cole to sit down. He motioned for them to take whatever food they wanted. Cole was hesitant, at first, but Shaeleen dug right in. After a moment, Cole followed suit.
The prince spoke first, looking at Cole: “I see you have found your power also?”
Cole nodded. “Seems that way. Did you know this would happen?”
“I’d hoped so.” Prince Basil smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. “Though your life now will not be your own.”
“My life has always belonged to the kingdom. I am yours as needed,” Cole said sincerely.
Prince Basil jumped up. “No, no, Cole—you are not mine; you’re hers.” He pointed to Shaeleen, who had glanced up at him between bites of meat. “Her life is more important than mine. You are her guardian wizard, not mine and not the kingdom’s.”
“But, my lord…” Cole began but trailed off at a look from the prince that brooked no argument.
The prince walked to the window, overlooking the Bay of Jalen. Walking farther down the wall a few steps, he came to a balcony door. Putting one hand on the door handle, he motioned with his other for Shaeleen and Cole to follow him outside.
They all stood in silence for a few minutes, Shaeleen and Cole seeming to both be wondering what the prince was thinking about.
He drew them north, toward the edge of the balcony. From this position, they overlooked the Bay of Jalen.
Pointing north with his left hand, he finally spoke. “King Wayland stood here almost two hundred years ago as he was envisioning how he would set up the land he ruled. He carved it up into the five kingdoms, each named after one of his children—Galena, where we stand; Gabor, to the north; Shema and Antioch, to the west; and Althea, to the south—and he gave each of them a gemstone of power that he had received from the island of Verlyn, each stone carrying its own specific power—intelligence in Galena; strength in Gabor; Healing in Shema; speed in Antioch; and hearing in Althea.”
The sun was high overhead now, and Shaeleen watched a flock of birds dive toward land in the castle’s gardens. A breeze from the ocean picked up and cooled the humid sweat starting to form on her forehead.
She turned from the gardens to Prince Basil. His dark hair hung over his forehead, and his blue eyes were piercing, seeming to take in everything around him all at once. He carried his authority and intelligence well.
But what did he say the other day that had caused me so much pain? She’d tried to put part of her mind to work on that, without having to think about the exact words he had said, because she didn’t want to feel the same pain again.
While lost in this thought, Shaeleen had missed a few of Prince Basil’s current words. So she focused her attention back on him. He was talking about the TruthSeers now. His passion and his enthusiasm—about his kingdom and the power of the gemstones—were clear in his words.
“Along with the gemstones,” he continued, “Verlyn supplied a TruthStone for each kingdom as well as a TruthSeer from Verlyn. The Truthseers were tasked with keeping each king and queen honest in their dealings with their people and with each other.”
Shaeleen had read about some of this from the journal. “Then,” she interrupted, “a man, pure of heart and full of honor, was chosen to be the TruthSeer’s guardian wizard—the TruthSeer’s protector.”
The prince nodded, looking at Cole. “Yes. His power was tied to the TruthSeer’s, but he had more than the power from the magic: his own honor and truth gave him power, power to see things others didn’t, power to rise above all else. You see, the TruthSeer was outside of a king’s or a queen’s laws and rule. He or she was an entity unto themselves. And the guardian, as an extension of the TruthSeer, was not beholden to any king or queen either.”
“That sounds dangerous,” Cole said. “I am your loyal subject. I always have been loyal to Galena. I want to serve this land and protect our honor.”
Shaeleen put her hand tenderly on Cole’s arm. She had never seen him so upset before. She smiled up at him, and he took a deep breath, relaxing somewhat.
“I’m sorry,” Cole said. “It’s just that…well, this is all quite new for me to deal with.”
Prince Basil smiled. “To all of us, my friend. Never has a TruthSeer risen that was outside of the five that were set up. Every few decades, an apprentice came along for each TruthSeer to train—someone with at least some blood from Verlyn. Then, as each TruthSeer would die, the apprentice became the new TruthSeer: an unbroken string from then until now.”
“So, am I to be an apprentice, then?” Shaeleen asked, already knowing the answer deep inside of herself.
Prince Basil shook his head. “I don’t believe so, Shaeleen. Plus, I don’t really see you following directions from someone else that way.” His smile was wide, and mischief showed in his eyes.
“Don’t you know it,” Cole mumbled.
Shaeleen glared at them for a moment, then laughed.
The prince continued, “There has always been a prophecy bandied around by the royals that serve as kings and queens. It is about an additional TruthSeer that would someday arise. He or she would have control over all other TruthSeers—and even over all the other stones.” Prince Basil shrugged his shoulders. “No one knows for sure what the prophecy means. Even those in Verlyn argue about its meaning. Many there now lean toward keeping all magic to themselves and leaving Wayland to fend for itself.”
“The keeper—when she gave me the stone—told me to gather the other stones,” Shaeleen said. “I didn’t know what that meant. But after yesterday, after you gave me yours, I’m beginning to understand. Also, there were others from Verlyn chasing after the keeper, trying to get back what she had given to me.”
“Yes, the IntelligenceStone is already working with you,” Prince Basil said in excitement. “I would expect the stones from all the kingdoms have grown quite small. The TruthSeers we’ve had recently haven’t always used their abilities for good. The regent—my uncle—and I have done o
ur bests to keep us protected here in Stronghaven. But…” the prince looked Cole and then Shaeleen in the eyes, “I’m afraid the gemstones are failing and, with them, the protection they hold over the land. Fighting has broken out in Althea. Lightfort has closed themselves off from all others, my own brother seems to be aligning himself with Gabor, and Verlyn doesn’t seem to want to help us at the moment.”
All three stood in silence for a moment, watching some gulls land on top of the tower.
Then Cole spoke, his voice deep and thick with emotion: “I think I understand, my lord.” Cole stared intently at Shaeleen, and she could see tears in his pale blue eyes. The power inside him spoke to hers. “My sister is the hope of Wayland. She is the one destined to restore the gemstones and restore peace to the land. And I must protect her in this quest. If our hopes are with her, then my life must be in her hands.”
Cole took a step toward Shaeleen and took her hands in his. Tears slipped down his face as he peered into Shaeleen’s eyes. She saw power, honor, and love circling within them.
Then he kneeled down in front of her and said, “I pledge myself to the truth. We are above law and kingdom, above family and friends. Where you go, I will follow. When you fight, I will be your arm. And when you feel the pain of lies and wickedness of men and women, I will comfort you and carry you. I will be of no kingdom now—a wizard without a home—until the truth is found and established once again throughout all of Wayland. Be it known, I serve the truth!”
Shaeleen’s heart swelled to see such tenderness in Cole’s words, and she wiped the tears from her own eyes. She looked up at the prince as her brother kept his own head lowered in front of her. The prince’s own eyes also glistened.
She put her hand out for her brother to grasp and said, “I accept your pledge and your protection. We will find the truth together. Rise, Cole, and be my wizard guardian and protector.”
“I will protect the truth,” Cole said firmly as he rose to his feet and held his head high. Strength radiated from him, and tendrils of power flared around his shoulders and arms.
Then the prince approached Shaeleen, and, although he did not prostrate himself on the ground, he did bow his head to her. “TruthSeer, know that I have freely given you my IntelligenceStone. Remember that Galena was the first to acknowledge your power and position over all the gemstones of power. I release you from any ties of fealty to Galena. You are no longer my subject, but I am yours in all things you would command in the name of truth.”
Shaeleen breathed in deeply. She couldn’t believe what was happening. Only days before, she was sneaking through the marketplace on her way to see Cole practice with his sword. She shook her head slightly, trying to clear her thoughts.
Prince Basil smiled at her. “Quite a bit to take in, I imagine.”
Shaeleen laughed and tried to wipe the tears from her eyes. “You have no idea.”
The three moved back into the castle, inside the smaller meeting room.
“And the errand you had for us, my lord?” Cole asked.
Prince Basil looked deep in thought. “I cannot command or compel you now…” He paused. “But I would ask that you still go to North Bay and find out what my brother’s intentions are. Find the truth of the matter.”
Shaeleen brushed a stray strand of her brown hair out of her eyes and nodded. She too felt the need to go to North Bay. Every time she thought of Prince Basil ruling Galena, sharp pains enveloped her. She needed to find out what that meant. What is Calix up to?
The prince’s mouth went tight. “Be careful, though. My brother has a way of manipulating others. My mother is there, and so is Galena’s TruthSeer. But he holds something over them. I know he is planning on coming here and trying to take my throne.”
Pain!
Cole’s blade came free in a flash, and he took a step toward the prince.
“Cole, no!” Shaeleen shouted.
Prince Basil stepped back and put his hands up, to show he’d meant no harm. Then Cole’s eyes focused back on both of them, and he lowered the sword.
“I am sorry,” Cole apologized. “I saw Shae in pain, and my instincts took over. I meant no offense, Prince.”
The prince nodded his head. “None taken, my friend. You are learning your duties still.”
“Talk no more of the throne, my lord.” Shaeleen shook the pain off. “There are truths there needing to be discovered.”
“Well, I don’t know if Calix will help clear things up,” Prince Basil said. “But brace yourself for his lies.”
“Thank you for everything, Prince Basil,” Shaeleen said. “I would ask you to keep these things quiet for now. I think we will travel in disguise for the time being.”
“I understand,” Prince Basil said. “But soon you will have to declare yourself. All need to know the truth.”
“Aye, the truth,” Shaeleen mumbled, “such a fickle master.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Three days after their meeting with the prince, Shaeleen stood next to Cole on the deck of a huge sailing ship and waved goodbye to their parents and little sister as they faded into the distance, eventually disappearing from sight amongst the crowded docks.
Shaeleen’s brown hair, tied back behind her neck with a small ribbon, flapped around the back of her head as the ocean breeze became stronger. The sailors worked feverishly, hoisting the main sail.
“Do you think they’ll be all right?” Shaeleen asked Cole.
He nodded his head and then pushed his dark bangs off his forehead. “I think they were torn between worry, for us leaving home for the first time, and excitement, from being asked by the prince himself to allow us to leave.”
They’d spent the last two days secretly preparing items to take on their journey northward. Then Prince Basil had surprised all of them by showing up at their home the previous evening, to inform and to ask their parents for the help of Shaeleen and Cole.
“They were surprised to see Prince Basil show up at our front door, weren’t they?” Shaeleen laughed and then took a deep breath of sea air. Summer was fast approaching, but it was cooler out on the water. Bright blue sky was intermixed with morning clouds. And the iridescent waves lapped gently against the ship as the sailors worked around Shaeleen and Cole.
“Prince Basil didn’t need to do that,” Cole said.
“I know,” Shaeleen agreed. “But he did.” She turned momentarily sullen. “I just hope that, in the end, we can help him.”
Cole stiffened a bit. “Shaeleen, it’s your job to find the truth. As much as I like Prince Basil, we serve the truth now and no one else.”
Shaeleen leaned over the rail in silence and stared hard at the water rushing up against the ship as they picked up speed. When she did speak again, her voice was almost lost on the wind: “But what will the truth do to me?”
Cole patted Shaeleen’s back. “You are not alone here, TruthSeer. I’m your brother and your wizard guardian.”
“Cole!” Shaeleen stood up straight and glanced around. “You can’t say that. I’m not a TruthSeer yet.”
Cole raised his brows at her. “I don’t think there will be an official ceremony naming you thus.”
Shaeleen frowned. “Remember: we go in under different identities here. No one knows who I am…or, for that matter, who you are either.”
“I know. I just wish I knew better what I am and what I can do. I wish I had someone to teach me.” Cole ran his fingers through his hair.
“Don’t I know it.” Shaeleen smiled. “I guess all we’ve got is each other for now.”
A few sailors walked over by them. Then one of them spoke to Shaeleen. “Miss, you might want to go down below now. The waves will be a bit choppy as we head out farther into the sea. Once we tack back into the Bay of Jalen and go on to North Bay, the waters will be calmer.”
Shaeleen nodded her head and beckoned Cole to follow her. The sailors were under the assumption that she was a rich merchant’s daughter, being escorted by her cousin to meet a p
ossible suitor in North Bay.
Soon they joined the other passengers in the mess deck below, where food was now being served. Shaeleen had counted about twenty-five other people on the large ship. It regularly took passengers up and down the east coast and had most likely begun its current journey by picking up passengers in South Bay, in Althea, over two weeks ago. Then it may have stopped in Mistport, in Antioch, before anchoring in Stronghaven. It would now continue up to North Bay and then on to Riverton, in Gabor, before it would turn back and bring other passengers in the opposite direction. From what Shaeleen had heard from her father, this was a very lucrative business. Another ship took passengers around the north and the west sides of the island.
Shaeleen and Cole sat off in a corner at a table by themselves. A simple meal of bread and fruits was being served. Most in the room seemed to be of noble birth, which was understandable, based on the price of their fares.
Shaeleen put a piece of melon in her mouth and glanced around the room, trying to ignore the snippets of conversations, which could cause her pain. Off to the other side, she spied a quick motion and noticed a boy around age twelve or so bump into the back of a man. After offering his apologies, the lad moved off to another corner and bent over, looking at something in his hand. How had he moved so quick?
Shaeleen nudged Cole’s arm with her elbow and then pointed at the boy. He pulled a green cap off his messy, blond hair and stuffed something into it. Then he put the cap back on before continuing his way around the room. His clothes were older, but fashionable, with a white shirt under a thick, green coat. These sat above black trousers that came just below his knees, showing green hose and black shoes to finish off the outfit. It was quite a dapper look for one so young.
They watched the boy walk by the table of a noble family engaged in conversation. Suddenly, the boy stood a few feet away, by an empty table.
“Hey, did you see that?” Shaeleen asked her brother. “What was that?”
“The boy took a package from that table.” Cole stood up abruptly, his face dark and his lips held tight. “That boy’s a thief.”
